When someone is injured while at work, the worker can file a workers' compensation claim to request benefits to cover economic losses incurred while he or she recovers. Under certain situations a worker can also file a personal injury lawsuit as well.

A Pittsburgh area company has been sued by a Marcellus Shale worker who was injured in an industrial accident in Blair County. The man and his wife filed the lawsuit against Ray Anthony International in U.S. District Court in Johnstown. Also named in the lawsuit is a crane operator.

According to the man, the accident took place at a natural gas site when the man was trying to bolt a wellhead and flange together. Because the flange weighed 18,000 pounds, a crane was being used to move it.

The worker requested the flange be raised by the crane to correct an awkward angle. When this was done, the worker reportedly saw that a hose containing hot liquid that was likely in a place where it was going to be smashed if not moved. Accordingly the worker attempted to move the hose. As he did so, the operator of the crane reportedly dropped the load it had raised causing the man's right hand to be crushed between the wellhead and the flange.

As a result of the accident the man reportedly suffered from gangrene and had to have several fingers amputated.

This case presents an interesting twist because prior to the accident Ray Anthony International reportedly filed for bankruptcy. Usually once an individual or business files for bankruptcy, an automatic stay is put into place which among other things halts pending lawsuits.

Source: The Tribune-Democrat, "Gas-drilling worker sues over job injury," Bernie Hornick, Oct. 13, 2011